7 Dos and Don'ts of Leaving for Winter

Are you a snowbird or maybe just a lucky duck who gets to spend the winter away from Michigan for extended periods of time? If you said yes, this one is for you!

Actually, for anyone who plans to leave home (on vacation or otherwise) while it’s still cold in Michigan, some of these tips may apply to you too!

While it can be a daunting task to pack up and leave your home for any period of time, there are several loss prevention measures that should be taken to ensure that your departure and subsequent arrival home go smoothly.

Let’s talk about the dos and don’ts of leaving for the winter:

• Do clean out your gutters and make sure your roof is clear of debris to prevent heavy ice and snow buildup and/or roof collapse.
• Don’t turn your heat off (you’d be surprised how many people do). You can turn it down some but not off. Never off. Maintain heat in your home at all times during the winter so your pipes don’t freeze.
• Do put antifreeze in your toilet bowls to prevent your toilet and water line from freezing if there is a power outage.
• Do turn off the main water valve and drain all water lines. Bring in a professional if you don’t know how to do this properly.
• Do ask someone to check on your home frequently to look for leaks or water, and to help make your house looks lived in to ward off any potential burglars.
• Don’t leave doors and windows unlocked. Give the designated person above a key or entry code.
• Do set an alarm system before you go (if you have one). And, if you have a video security system connected to your phone, check it often.

In the simplest of terms, we are just asking you to use common sense before leaving. You’d be surprised how many issues arise because people don’t stop and think before departing. The last thing you want to come home to after being away is a disaster in your home, so do yourself a favor and batten down the hatches before heading for warmer weather.

Have any questions about what you just read? Please contact your Independent Insurance Agent or email us at socialmedia@psmic.com!